大象传媒

This story has been submitted to the Peoples War website by Glenda Lightowler and has been added with her permission. The author is fully aware of the site's terms and conditions

My mother was the assistant matron at Buchan School. She wrote this letter to talk about the VE Day commemorations

Transcript:

7th May 1945
Dear Eric
This is a wonderful day for all of us and I have been thinking about you, and wishing that we could all have been together on this great VE Day. It must be very queer being in Germany, and I am wondering how you are celebrating. let me send you my warmest congratulations on your promotion too, and on the part which you have played in the struggle. I am very proud of my kid brother, and you are always in my thoughts, event hough I haven't a great deal of time for writing. It was lovely for Glenda being able to see you during the Easter holidays, and for you to be able to have a peep at your new nephew. Ron tells me Peg looks very well, and very chic!
It has been a very mild May day and one to remember. I have never seen so many people in Castletown square, and all the flags are out, and many sailors rolling along in an enebriated condition. The broadcasts of the great crowds in London make us feel very flat, and I wish we had a little more excitement. Lack of transport makes a late night in Douglas impossible. So I said to JB 'Let's make it a time for the kids to remember', so we had planned a great bonfire and rammed the very little ones into bed for an afternoon nap, with the promise of a great surprise tonight, if they tried to sleep. We have ransacked all the attics, and as JB loves to get rid of old rubbish and I love to hoard it there has been heard great and friendly arugument relating to old basket chairs, blackouts and decrepit lids.
We then comandeered three emnbarrassed college boys who live opposite, and got them to yank the stuff to the games field, and invited them to supper tonight but they hurriedly made a great many excuses.
Glenda and Frances (?) have been to the Manx musical Festival, and they say Douglas looks lovely and the fountains on the promenade are now working again and strings of coloured lights being put up.
I took lots of snaps of the children with their little flags and eventually persuaded JB to pose with them. But just as I got them all fixed she spotted a contingent of Navy coming down the road, and shrieking 'I've had ...(?)' and took to her heels which upset me so much that I took xeveral snaps on one exposure! Ron is having another leave on May 29th, and is coming to stay at school as they can't spare me in the middle of term. (Happy thought really) The younger staff are very excited about having a man in the house, and I expect there will be many practical jokes and high jinks. I hope to get over to the mainland at Whitsun as we are having a few days- I may see you if you are coming home to your O.C.T.U. ? Glenda sends her love and here's to a long and happy peace.
Love Win xxxxx

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